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ACIDS, BASES AND ELECTROLYTES
Describe mechanisms used to maintaining acid-base homeostasis
Acids – Molecule that can release H+ (hydrogen ion)
Bases – Molecule that can accept/bind with H+

Hydrogen affects enzyme
activity

Acids and bases are important components of our bodies by contributing to the pH levels
within the body
...
35 – 7
...


The body has 4 buffer elements that prevent large changes in our body pH levels:
1
...
Haemoglobin – oxyhaemoglobin
3
...
Proteins
Define metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis, metabolic alkalosis and respiratory
alkalosis
Acidosis – when body fluids and tissues have too much acid, therefore high H+
Alkalosis – when the body fluids and tissues have too much alkali, therefore low H+
Metabolic acidosis:
Too much HCO3 is excreted by the kidneys and therefore there is not enough to buffer and
there is too much H+ and pH falls
Respiratory acidosis
Not enough CO2 is expelled from the body, therefore there is too much H+ in blood and pH
falls
Metabolic alkalosis
Too much H+ excreted or relative level of bicarbonate rises, therefore pH rises
Respiratory alkalosis
Too much CO2 is expelled from the body, therefore pH falls

List the common causes of metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis, metabolic alkalosis
and respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Bicarbonate loss or hydrogen gain:
- Bicarbonate loss through renal or GI tract (diarrhoea)
- Hydrogen increase through toxic substances and lactic acid
 This is compensated via hyperventilation, breathing off CO2
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis can be caused by conditions and diseases that decreases the amount of
CO2 expelled by the body (thinking resp
...

- Net loss of H+ from ECF
o Vomiting
o Renal loss due to diuretics
- Retention of bicarbonate due to the excess administration of bicarbonate
 This is compensated through hypoventilation
Respiratory alkalosis
This is due to conditions where too much CO2 is being breathed off, or expelled
- Hyperventilation (emotional causes)
- Head trauma that increases resp
...


Describe the importance of electrolyte balance within the body
Electrolytes are charged particles within the body that are essential for bodily functions (e
...

potassium, sodium, calcium)
Sodium
Sodium levels within the body is important, due to the fact that it pulls water

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